Container



June 9, 1953 M. J. QUILLINAN CONTAINER Filed Aug. 17, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 9, 1953 UNITE 'l 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and improved containers generally and, in particular, toa rubber-like containersuch as may be used to carry petroleum products and chemicals, which container may be dropped from relatively high altitudes without a leakage occurring in either the containers body portion or the bung therefor.

.As tactical warfare has progressed in techniques hitherto thought unwieldy, and men and machines are dropped behind enemy lines after being airborne, the advantages to be gained thereby and the initiative necessarily assumed substantially increase supply problems. Oftentimes, it becomes necessary .to replenish material "of War under the. most extreme terrain conditions and highly concentrated enemy barrage. Then again, said material must, upon being released from a carrier aloft over enemy territory, further-assure that it will do the job when it arrives in places where friendly troops are concentrated. Not theleast among theaforementioned supply problems is the requirement of dropping large quantities of strategic liquid, for example fuel oil, incontainers which must not :leak after being subjected to great percussion. The 'bung for such containers is a vulnerable element in this regard and it too, regardless of what degree of erectness the container may reach *the ground, must remain intact.

I have provided a container designed to satisfy the desiderata outlined above and, at the :same time to provide a high degree of economy, both in handling and re-use. Most containers of the day, in addition to being bulky and high- 1y cumbersome in handling and storing, are quite susceptible to abuse under handling conditions such that the life of the container is shortened. In viewer" the extreme conditions contemplated by airborne supplyproblems, such considerations as longlife and economy are seldom achieved.

Briefly, the invention comprises a hemispherical diaphragm of rubber-like material which is substantially concentric with an internal and integral hemispherical bubble. This bubble is substantially less flexible and stronger than the diaphragm, being reversible and withdrawable from the latter for a purpose to be hereinafter disclosed. The bung for the container invention is provided at the polar portions of this hemispherical bubble and is preferablyxintegrally formed on :the bubble, both the bubble :and bung being also made of a rubberlike composition. Spring means are provided on the circular face connecting the bubble with the 2 diaphragm such that boththe bubble and the diaphragm are foldable along their respective incident diameters and maintained in this position throughout the portage of the container, as will be hereinafter disclosed.

Referring to the drawings where similar reference numerals refer to similar parts:

Fig. 1 is a lengthwise view of the container showing where the circular face of the container joins to form an elliptical or egg-like barrel.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the container in Fig. 1 looking along the axis of fold thereof.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the container in. its unfolded condition, the circular face being-closer to the viewer.

Fig. dis an enlarged sectional view of the inside of the container taken alonglineA-A in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation view of the portion shown in Fig. 4 taken along line 5--5 in ble.

unfolded container shown in Fig. 3 taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary view. of a portion of the unfolded container shown in Fig. 3 wherein the lips covering the hereinafter described spring means are broken away to show the spring means to better advantage.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the container illustrating what happens to it upon impact with the ground.

For sake of clarity in illustrating the elements of the container, any symbolic representationfor a liquid has been omitted from the above drawmgs.

Provided .on the container is a substantially hemispherical diaphragm ll! made of a rubberlike-composition such that it is elastic and flexi- An internal hemispherical bubble ll connects with diaphragm Ill by means of a circular face, generally shown at l2. The bubble and circular faceare made of rubber-like composition and are each relatively greater in thickness than the material of the diaphragm. Moreover the bubble, though harder, has relatively more inclination to pop having a bowed rigidityless than the strength of diaphragm I 0, which behavior will be elaborated upon herein. The bubble is adapted to be turned inside-out with a substantial manual pressure on the bung, generally shown at $3, or by reason of the percussive force on diaphragm 10, which percussive .force is transmitted through the liquid in the container deposited between the unexposed faces 3 l4 and I5 of the bubble H and diaphragm ll], respectively, to the bubble H.

The bung i3 is preferably integrally provided at the polar portions :6 of the bubble H. The

bung l3 consists of a hard rubber bushing ll vulcanized to or otherwise similarly attached to bubble H. The bushing ll has its axis directed to the center of bubble H and is provided on the exposed face E8 of the latter such that it is pointed away from the containers contents. A corrosion resistant plug 129 is threadable within bushing H and has a sealing gasket 20 seated on the plug is above its threaded portions. Wrench engaging lugs 2| facilitate removal and sealing of the plug in its respec: tive bushing.

Provided on the circular face IQ of the container are the springing means, generally shown at 22, which means comprise an axle 23 having retaining buttons 23a. at both ends thereof. This axle 23 is arranged to be substantially coincident with the folding axis of the container and is, in truth, what defines and controls the location of the axis of fold. Rotatable on the axle 23 are flat elliptical folding leaves 2 3a and 241), each leaf having a set of hinges 25 and 26 surrounding a substantial portion of the axle at the ends thereof. Also surrounding axle 23 near the ends thereof and longitudinally fixed on said axle by the hinges 26 and'25 are strong coil springs 21. One end 28 of each spring 21 proj ects laterally outward from the helix thereof and is permanently fixed on one of the leaves, 1. e., Ell-a, the socket 29 being stamped out of the leaf 24a to overlap spring end r28 and station it on the leaf. A clip if! is similarly stamped out of the other leaf 26b to optionally retain the other free end 3! of spring 21 which also extends laterally outward into the hooked portion of clip 30 for a purpose to be hereinafter disclosed. The innermost edge of leaves 24a and 24?) are also elliptically formed as at 32 and 33. The axle 23 is correspondingly curled into a half of an ellipse as it clears the hinged area of the body of the leaves Ma and Mb as at 34. This elliptical curl or bend 3 is along the major axis of the leaves innermost edges 32, residing just inside one of these edges. Finally, the leaves 24a and 2% are cut away as at 35 and 36, respectively, to house the helical body portion of the coil spring 21 and permit freedom of rotation of the leaves about axle 23. Thus the axle 23 looks and retains the leaves 24a and 2th at hinges 25 and 26 between the buttons 230; and the curled portion 35.

A set of elliptical lips 31 and 38, integrally connected to circular face 52, and made of rubberlike composition similar to that of circular face l2, contains the spring and leaf combination hereinabove at the leaves elliptical inner and outermost edges, respectively, while retaining the leaves against the circular face l2 flexibly. Elliptical meeting edges 39 and it provided on lips 3! and 38, respectively, complete the container.

In operation, before the container is filled its appearance is characterized by Figs. 3 and 6. The barrel or container is then in an unfolded state and free end 3! of spring 21 is disengaged out of cocked relation with clip 30. The springs 2'! therefore remain unfiexed and there is no folding pressure upon the leaves Ma and 24b.

The bung is manually pulled outward from its concealed position in the bubble l I such that both it and bubble l I occupy a position similar to that shown in Fig. 8. The plug I9 is removed by use of wrench engaging lugs 2| and the container is filled. Thereafter, the plug I9 is reinserted in 4 sealing engagement with bushing H and bubble I I is reversed by depressing it again into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 6. It should be noted that the rigidity of bubble l l is an important facet of this invention. The material of the bubble is preferably made of a relatively hard rubber and of a substantially greater thickness than that of the diaphragm ill. The bowed rigidity of the bubble l relative to that of the diaphragm I ll, due to the properties of the former, assures that the bubble will not pop out of position until the desired time.

Ready access to the free end 3! of each spring 21 is then attained by parting the resilient elliptical lips 31 and 38 at their respective meeting edges 39 and ill. The springs free end 3! is then flexed by being inserted in the hooked portion til. Both springs 21 having been cocked, they act upon leaves 24a and Mb causing them to come together by rotation about axle 23 and bring the respective halves of circular face I?! with them as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the flexible diaphragm Ill meanwhile folding into substantially an egglike container shape similar to that of an American or Rugby-type football.

The container is now ready for shipment.

It is obvious from the drawings that such a container may be handled with great dexterity, the egg shape providing an ideal rolling surface.

Moreover, ordinary handling stresses will not affect the container since the strength of coil springs 27 in the spring means combination of leaves 24, axle 23 and leaves springs 21 is strong enough to prevent the container from unfolding except under the two desired conditions, namely, manually exerted pressure upon the halves of cylindrical face IE or the percussion force effect of the liquid upon shock absorbing elements of the container, as will be hereinafter explained. It will also be noted that uniquely the container wall sides surround the bung l3 thereby further preventing the effects of untoward handling stresses induced in the container. Also, the bung I3 is better prepared to withstand the direct impact induced in the container when it is dropped from relatively great altitudes. The bung l3 herein is hidden from any direct contact with the ground no matter how the container lands. Upon the container itself impact force is also reduced to a minimum since there are no vulnerable barrel chimes which oftentimes are the weakest link in the barrels sealing integrity.

In tactical warfare and other humanitarian aspirations the container may be hassocked in a parachute and dropped. However, this is not the only manner of descent of the container that may be practiced. The use of a parachute may be omitted and the container sent aloft as a free falling body. Upon reaching the ground the diaphragm receives the initial impact of the ground and transfers this impact into a percussive force which rapidly builds up the liquid pressure in the container. Such a percussive force suffices to burst the present day containers since there is no way of reducing the initial shock of this percussive force on the container. While rubber-like material may be practiced upon the ordinary container wall since it possesses some qualities of elasticity, a uniform performance'of such containers is not readily achievable. The container may be expensively overdesigned but this still does not provide the required mobility after the container has landed. It might be suggested that smaller than usual quantities of the strategic liquid may be shipped but such a practice fails to supply the answer to the problem since oftentimes rapidity of ground operations demands the fastest with the mostest.

It is just that which is achieved in this invention. A unique shock absorbing means has been provided which greatly reduces the effect of the percussive force resulting from initial impact. By use of these means on containers, the shock reaction is automatically alleviated and the time increments of the percussive force of the liquid is comparatively increased, thereby allowing the container to more readily absorb the shock of sudden impact. By causing a gradual pressure release in the container of the hydraulic liquid pressure suddenly built up, percussive force is spent in overcoming the automatic shock absorbing means rather than bursting the walls of the container. Moreover, the sudden increase of hydraulic pressure is less rapid than before and con sequently the need for overdesigning the container per unit of liquid transported is alleviated thereby allowing economy to be practiced.

This automatic shock absorbing means consists of what has been referred to hereinabove as spring means and the bubble H. It requires a substantially large force to operate against the flexed pressure of springs 2'! upon leavb's 24 to rotate the latter about axle 23. This is exactly what occurs when the initial percussion takes place. The suddenly built up container pressure resulting from the hydraulic force of the noncompressible liquid causes the liquid to seek a release. Such a bursting action on the walls of the container, via, the diaphragm II], the cylindrical face l2 and bubble H, causes the container to unfold along axle 23 against the spring means. In addition, such a bursting force is further spent as the container unfolds in attempting to work against the bowed rigidity of the flexible bubble II and reverse the same. It will be noted therefore that this occurs because it requires less force to cause the bubble to pop out than it does to burst the container wall.

The use of a flexible rubber-like material for the components of the container also alleviates the bursting action.

In its final unfolded condition the container appears as in Fig. 8 with the bubble I I outwardly extended and obstructing the container leaves 25 from refolding. The spring means are therefore accessible and free end 3: of each spring 21 may again be disengaged from the clip 39, the meeting edges 39 and 40 of lips 37 and 38, respectively, being separated to reveal the flexed spring.

The user of the container thereafter withdraws plug i9 and may operate the container much like a bellows to give a rapid, pressure fiow to the liquid, the optionally depressible ends 3i of springs 2'! being disengaged and the container being therefore foldable in the opposite direction.

Since the container is defiatable it may be reshipped with comparatively less expense than ordinary containers.

The container disclosed herein is susceptible of a variety of modifications without departing from the spirit of the preferred embodiment. Thus the automobile tire art is proliferate with a prodigious fecundity of wall constructions and the reinforcements thereof which may be equally practiced on this container to reinforce the same and at the same time provide the flexibility required herein.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a, container, a flexible diaphragm acting in combination with spring means, a face connecting with the peripheral portions of said dia phragm, said face foldable along at least one-axis of the container, said spring means provided on said face and acting to revolve opposed portions thereof about said axis and upon said diaphragm through said face to fold the diaphragm resiliently about said axis, parts of said face being urged into communication with each other thereby.

.2. ,In a container, a fiexible diaphragm acting in combination with spring means, a face connecting with the peripheral portions of said diaphragm, said face foldable along at least one axis of the container, a bubble acting in combination with said diaphragm, said bubble reversible within and centrally located on said face, said spring means acting upon said face to resiliently fold said face, said diaphragm, and said bubble about said axis, parts of said face being urged into communication with each other thereby.

3. In a flexible diaphragm type container, an elastic diaphragm acting in combination with spring means and a reversible bubble, a face connecting with the peripheral portions of said diaphragm, said face f-oldable along at least one axis of the container, said face connecting with the peripheral portions of said bubble, said bubble manually depressible within said face and responsive to fluid forces transmitted from said diaphragm through said containers contents to said bubble, said spring means acting upon said face to fold opposed portions thereof about said axis and upon said diaphragm through said face to fold said diaphragm resiliently about said axis, parts of said face being urged into communication with each other thereby.

4. In a container, 2. flexible diaphragm, a bubble and spring means acting in combination, a face connecting with the peripheral portions of said diaphragm and said bubble on the respective outer and inner rims thereof, said face foldable along at least one axis of the container, said bubble resiliently reversible within and without said container, said spring means acting upon said face to revolve opposite portions thereof about said axis and upon said diaphragm and said bubble through said face to fold said diaphragm and said bubble resiliently about said axis, parts of said face being urged into communication with each other thereby.

5. In a container, an elastic container flexible diaphragm acting in combination with spring means, a face connecting with the peripheral portions of said diaphragm, said face foldable in at least one direction about the axis of the container, said spring means acting upon said face to fold moities thereof about said axis, a bung provided upon said face, parts of said face being urged into communication with each other thereby.

6. In a container, a flexible diaphragm, a bubble and spring means acting in combination, a face connecting with the peripheral portions of said diaphragm and said bubble on the respective outer and inner rims thereof, said face foldable in at least one direction about the axis of the container, said spring means acting upon said face to fold moities thereof about said axis, a bung provided upon said face, parts of said face being urged into communication with each other thereby.

7. In a container, a flexible diaphragm, a bubble and spring means acting in combination, a face connecting with the peripheral portions of said diaphragm and said bubble on the respective outer and inner rims thereof, said face foldable along at least one axis of the container and in at least one direction thereabout, said bubble resiliently reversible within said container being centrally located with respect to said face, said spring means acting upon said face to revolve opposed portions thereof about said axis, said spring means acting through said face to fold said diaphragm and said bubble about said axis yieldably, a bung being provided upon said bubble, parts of said face being urged into communication with each other thereby.

8. In a container, a flexible diaphragm acting in combination with spring means, a face connecting with the peripheral portions of said diaphragm, said spring means acting upon said face to fold said diaphragm along at least one axis in the plane of the face, moities of said face being urged into communication with each other thereby.

9. In a container adapted to collapse and to absorb shock and handling stresses, a foldable face having a, reversible bubble therein adapted to be depressed within said face and resiliently reversed without said face by the pressure of the containers contents, a foldable diaphragm at the outer periphery of said face, spring means on said face acting to fold said diaphragm in the direction of said face, a bung provided on said bubble adapted to be hidden within the periphery of said face when said bubble is depressed and said diaphragm is folded, whereby said container absorbs shock through the intermediation of said bubble and said spring means.

MICHAEL J. QUILLINAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 329,955 Roberts Nov. 10, 1885 793,960 Rosenfeld July 4, 1905 2,072,426 Kraft Mar. 2, 1937 2,430,905 Bradley Nov. 18, 1947 

